STATEMENT OF ATTORNEY GENERAL ALBERTO R. GONZALES ON THE
RESIGNATION OF DIRECTOR BENIGNO G. REYNA OF
THE U.S. MARSHALS SERVICE:

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales today issued the
following statement on the resignation of Director Benigno G. Reyna of the
U.S. Marshals Service:

“Benigno Reyna has served as Director of the U.S. Marshals Service with
integrity and skill. As a law enforcement officer with more than 29 years of
experience, he has shown steadfast leadership in directing the Service in the
months and years following the September 11th attacks, as well during its work
with state and local law enforcement in Operation Falcon, which resulted in
the arrests of more than 10,000 fugitives. I am grateful for his service and
wish him every success in his future endeavors.”

Reyna was nominated by President Bush to serve as Director of the U.S.
Marshals Service (USMS) on September 12, 2001, and was confirmed by the U.S.
Senate on October 29, 2001. During his tenure, Mr. Reyna oversaw the
reorganization of the USMS headquarters-which has improved the agency’s
ability to carry out its protective missions; improved the agency’s
information technology infrastructure; and streamlined the agency’s resource
allocation process, achieving a record level of employment. Under Mr. Reyna’s
direction, the USMS has expanded both national and international law
enforcement cooperative efforts and assisted state and local law enforcement
to achieve a significant increase in the apprehension of violent fugitives.